Don't over look the Johnson Thin Fisher. Fish USA carries them. Hooks are kinda weak but I switch them out for a little bigger and heavier wire. They took a few fish this past fall. Not to mention they have a much better price point than the Sonar or VibE. Not a ton of colors available but they have the basics, and let's face it, there are only about 4 or 5 goto colors anyways.

Kinda refreshing to have a fishing thread going. It's been a little while.

Lol   What do I know??  Btw, would always get my flatfish out of the package, take that two hook contraption off and replace with a treble hook!  One of my favorites was an x7, blue top fading to white under belly.   ANd Rich, I still have one of the frog finish if that was the one that had a darker green base coat with black circles surrounded in yellow!
 

Flatfish ...... that's about all my dad used in Erie for steelhead and salmon back in the 70's.
 

Opsman, I bin gittin edukated by watshing a TV program called "Hoarding" and I think i mite be seenin some simptums.

Enjoyed hearing the memory, I'll bet that tackle box has many more.

Tight lines

Nice collection Opsman, mine are all the plastic newer ones, and yes they still produce nice catches. Most are Flatfish but some are Kwikfish brands. Steelhead will crush the smaller ones when nothing else will work. That vibrating wiggle just triggers some crazy instant strikes. I've caught many nice Niagara Laker on the brighter colors ones drifting in the river by boat. Fishing them in crystal clear water is awesome watching..... those big Trout follow and inhale that whole lure like a natural reflex. Always carry a few in my vest for general purpose......silver chrome & blue seem to produce a tad more !
 
   

If u like the flatfish style of bait, check out the Yakima mag lips. They've been very effective for me the last couple years for eyes and steel on Erie.

I've fish the spillway from the early 70's. Mind you there has been many years in between that I've never fish it. My last  time was 2007 and 2008. Yes fish are snagged,yes fish are caught inside the mouth. I ice fish a lot and way back in the 70's blade baits where used on Pymy,Berlin,Mosquito. I've probably got 40 of 50 in a ice fishing box. They even worked a Latonka on eyes three winters ago. I've caught eyes,white bass,bass,crappie,
perch,and musky on them through the ice and open water. I just don't like combat fishing anymore,that's one reason I gave up fishing the Erie tribes. I've got a pile of brand new ViBE's in the package if someone interested. I don't know what they sell for now,I bought then in 2007-08. The fish that do hit them seem to be on the drop more than the lift. I've never used the 1/2 oz models. I've had my best luck on the small 1/8 oz ViBE's. Back in the day you'd find me fishing out of Snodgrass in duck season out till Thanksgiving catching limits of eyes in 18' fow. In the winter my best day was 45 eyes using a silver buddy. Oh those where the days. Now I just head to Erie the bay and fill the freezer with jumbos,no crowds and I've acquired a taste for those striped rascals. There on the menu tonight,dipped in Andy's Cajun and introduce to the peanut oil fries,and homemade slaw. 

6 ish. Ill take out an extra pack. lol This cold March is screwing up my perch fishing. Been catching some big gills and crappie,only went once perching and did good till the wind switched to east and shout them down pronto. There still in deep water,a lot of drinks in the shallows. Town side off Cheastnut or Liberty or out in the deep middle channel. I need 50's and light SW winds.

Stopped by yesterday at wall to see how the boys were doing. They were catching some perch was all and small at that. No eyes last few days, they claim to cold. I guess there was a confrontation between boat and wall fella with threats and State Troopers were called. Well there are now buoys to keep boats away from the wall. Shore fisherman threatened to shoot holes in boat is what I was told. Shore fisherman claiming he was casting out and boat came in and was blocking him from casting. This is from talking to wall fishermen. I have fished from boat out from wall however I have never fished from the wall. Its not something I care to do however I chuckle at the comradery and fun the fellas seem to enjoy. Even when as yesterday a few were standing there fishing for hours with nothing to show for their effort.

Once again when will the PBFC wake up to needed new rule changes in that Pymy Snag City zone ! It's totally 100% the Fish Commission's fault to allow that to carry on year after year !
 
Simply zone it off limits during spawning time like they do for all the state's inland waters......that will work ! Why do they bother to shut down all the inland waters during spawning then ?
Once again the PBFC make no sense on certain issues....and they can't explain why !

CAPTAIN HOOK
Once again when will the PBFC wake up to needed new rule changes in that Pymy Snag City zone ! It's totally 100% the Fish Commission's fault to allow that to carry on year after year !
 
Simply zone it off limits during spawning time like they do for all the state's inland waters......that will work ! Why do they bother to shut down all the inland waters during spawning then ?
Once again the PBFC make no sense on certain issues....and they can't explain why !

PFBC can write tickets

I'm surprised the Russians haven't picked up on it... them nasty drawbacks must taste better

Na not a chance...http://www.fishandboat.com/Zone1/Pages/NWRegionReports.aspx
 
crappy
 
 

fished last night... no action.... water is COLD
 
 
and yes walleye last spring was rotten for me...